Valve-actuating mechanism



July 27, 1954 A. F. BUZAS 2,684,826 VALVEJACTUATING MECHANISM Filed May 13, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l Fig,

INVENTOR. ANTHONY F. BUZAS ATTORNEY A. F. BUZAS VALVE-ACTUATING MECHANISM July 27, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13, 1952 INVENTOR. ANTHONY F. BUZAS ATTORNEY July 27, 1954 A. F. BUZAS 2,684,826

VALVEI-ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed May 13, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ANTHONY F. BUZAS ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STATEIE? ()FFICE 2,684,826 VALVE-ACTUATIN G MECHANISM Anthony F. Buzas, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application May 13, 1952,

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to scale-actuated valve-operating mechanism and more particularly to scale-actuated quick-acting valve-closing means.

An object of the present invention is to provide novel scale-actuated valve-operating mechanism. Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, yet dependable device for quickly operating a valve or the like responsive to movement of a balance or scale or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are presently preferred; it

strumentalities shown, and that the several parts and elements can be variously arranged and organized without departing from the spirit and essential attributes of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a further enlarged vertical crosssectional view showing the catch and release mechanism in locked valve-open position.

Figure 4 IS a view like that of Fig. 3 but showing Figure 5 is a view like that of Fig. 3 but showing another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a view, partly in vertical cross-sec tion and partly in side elevation, showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken generally along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a modified form of the embodiment of Fig. 7.

In Figs. 1-4, I have shown one embodiment of the present invention constructed and arranged to close a valve immediately after a predetermined weight of liquid or paste or powder has been delivered to a container 0 positioned on a weighing platform P of a conventional balance-type scale S having weights W on its other platform P".

In this embodiment, the flow of liquid or like material through a generally vertical delivery Serial No. 287,571

pipe 20 is controlled by a gate valve 2! of generally conventional construction, operatively connected within the pipe 26 and having a valvedisc 22 which can be moved to either open position (shown in solid lines in Fig. 2) or closed position (shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 2) upon axial movement of a valve stem 23.

The valve stem 23 is provided with a bifurcated free end 24, through which extends an operating handle 25 and about which is positioned the yoke portion 26 of a sliding brace 2? to be hereinafter described. About the yoke portion 26 in turn is positioned the bifurcated end 28 of an arm 29 which extends in axial extension of the valve stem 23 and which will be more fully described below.

A link-pin 33 extends through aligned openings 25 locking them together while permitting pivotation of the operating handle.

One end 3| of the operating handle 25 is pivotally connected, as at 32, to an end of a slide-bar which extends through an appropriate openthe valve 2|, by The brace 21 is slidable along the slide-bar 33 and is tensioned to the dash-dot line position of Fig. 2 by a helical spring 35 which is connected at one end to the pin 35 and at the other end to a screw 31 mounted on the brace 21.

In this last-mentioned position, the valve 21 is closed. However, when the handle 25 is manually shifted from the dash-dot line position of Fig. 2 to the solid-line position (pivoting clockwise about the pin 32 connecting it to the slide-bar 35%), the brace 21, the extension arm 253, the valve-stem and the valve-element 22 are moved, against the pull of the spring 35, toward the left in Fig. 2. so as to open the valve and to permit the flow of fluid through the pipe 20.

The extension arm as (the crosssectional configuration of which is preferably non-circular, as for example rectangular) is provided with a locking-notch 3.9 on its underside and extends slida'oly through a horizontal opening 40 formed adjacent the upper end of a housing 4!, which is suspended, by a bolt 42, from the upper horizontal arm of an L-shaped structural member 43, which is bolted to, and extends upwardly from, the base 33 of the scale S.

The housing M is also provided with a generally vertical opening 44 extending downwardly from the midpoint of the horizontal opening 42 to the upper end of a cut-out portion 45, and with a protruding end a chain 52, which is secured, at its lower end, to

.arm 29 when the beam second vertical opening 46, co-axial with the opening id and extending downward from the lower end of the cut-out portion 45 to the bottom of the housing.

Extending through the cut-cut portion 55 and slidably mounted within the openings it and 16 is an elongated locking-member 41 (the crosssectional configuration of which is preferably non-circular, as for example rectangular) provided with a collar to disposed within the cut-out portion 15; a helical compression spring is being fitted about the locking-member and being con structed and arranged to bear against the underside of the collar 18 so as normally to urge the locking-member upwardly, whereby the pointed upper end as of the locking-member ii is locked within the locking-notch 39 of the extension arm 29, when the latter is in the extended position shown in solid lines in Fig. 2 and also shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Extending lowermost t? is downward from the El of the locking-member a rod 53 extending generally horizontally from the weighing-platform P of the scale S. The length of the chain 52 is such that it permits full upward movement of the locking-member 41, into lockin engagement with the extension A of the scale 55 is in the clockwise tilted position shown in solid lines in Fig. l; i. e. when the moment of rotation of the container (3 and its contents resting on weighingplatform P is less than the moment of rotation of the weights W resting on weighing-platform 1?. However, when the moment of rotation of the container and its contents exceeds that of the weights so that the beam A tilts counterclockwise to the position shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 1, the downward movement of the platform P, the rod 53 and the chain 52 causes the locking-member ii to be pulled downward (against the force of its spring is) until its upper end 58 is disengaged from the locking-notch 32, thereby permitting the extension arm 28 to move toward the right (under the as shown in Fig. 4 and also shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 2. 7

The operation of this embodiment is as follows: The weights W, corresponding to the total weight of the container C and its contents, are first placed upon the weighing-platform P" and the empty container C is placed upon the other weighing-platform P; the beam A tilting to the solid-line position of Fig. l. The operating handle 25 is then manually shifted from the dashdot line position of Fig. 1 to the solid-line position, thereby opening the valve and, moving the extension arm 29 from the position of Fig. i to the position of Fig. 3,. wherein the locking-notch 39 is in line with, and is automatically engaged by, the upper end, 5c of the locking-member thereby locking the valve 25 in open position and permitting fluid Or the like to flow downward through the pipe 259 and into the container C.

As soon as the container is filled to the point at which its total weight exceeds the predetermined figure required to exceed the moment of rotation of the weights on weighing-platform P", the beam A tilts counterclockwise from the solid-line position of Fig. l to the dash-dot-line position, the lockingunember is pulled downward against the pressure of its spring 39 to release the extension arm 25 and to permit the valve to close under the pull of the spring 35, as

described above; thereby stopping the fiow of fluid or the like to the container.

pull of the spring 36) By making a suitable allowance for the relatively slight force needed to overcome the push of the spring it is possible to obtain extremely accurate deliveries of predetermined amounts of fluid or the like to the container. The fact that the locking'rnember 5 must be moved downward only a very short distance in order to release the extension arm plus the fact that the relatively strong pull of the spring 35 gives a swift, positive closing movement or the valveelement .52, means the valve is closed with a sudden snap action which is completed even before the seal beam reaches its ully-tilted positicn, shown in dash-dot lines in 1. Of course, if there is any considerable length of pipe below the valve, a in her allowance can be made for the amount of fluid or the like remaining therein, which will flow into the container after the valve is closed. Obviously, it is a simple matter to determine this last-mentioned weight and to make a corresponding correction in the weights on the platform P The filled container is removed from the scale and replaced by an empty container or" the same weight (or the same container may be emptied and replaced) and the handle 25 is again manually shiited from the dash-dot line position of Fig. 2 to the solid-line position to repeat the filling cycle.

In Fig. 5, there is shown a slightly modified embodiment in which the locking-notch 39-a of the extension arm 2la and the upper end Eli-a of the locking-member ll-a. are generally rectangular in configuration (instead of being tapered as in Figs. 3 and a); the locked-open valve position being shown in solid lines and the released valve-closed position being shown in dash dot lines. ifhis modification may be preferrcd in the case or large valves which require very strong springs 35, such as might exert sufiicient pull to cause inadvertent cainming displacement or the tapered upper end a? of Figs. 3 and l and thereby result in premature shutting off of the valve.

In Fig. 6, there is shown another modification in which the locking-notch 3:34? of the extension arm see is generally. arcuate in configuration and in which the locking-member Q'l-b is generally circular in cross-section, with a rounded uppe end 52-42 adapted to fit within the arcuate notch 39-12. In this embodiment, the extension arm ZQ-b the valve-stem 23 are disposed at an angle (as for example as degrees), instead of being horizontal, as in the embodiment of Fig. 1; while the valve assembly is turned so that the direction of fund flow through the valve is generally horizontal, while the operating handle 25 extends generally vertically upward (as compared to vertical fluid-flow and a horizontally-extending operating handle in the embodiment of Figs. l l). This embodiment has the advantage of conserving space since it enables the housing to be positioned closer, horizontally, to the valve and hence permits the device to be used in relatively close quarters. In this embodiment, the free end of the pipe may, optionally, be provided with a down-spout 32 to permit direct filling into an open-top container positioned on a scale as in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

In Figs. 7 and 8, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention adapted for use with a somewhat diiierent type of gate valve 1&5, installed within a horizontal pipe line lfll having a downspout Hi2 adapted to deliver liquid or paste or powder to an open-top container C positioned on a weighing-platform P of a con- .ventional balance-type scale S having a beam A mounted on a fulcrum F, with weights W disposed on its other platform P".

As indicated in Fig. 8, the valve IIlIl includes a valve-disc, I93 adapted to be opened and closed upon pivotal movement of an operating handle I04; the valve being closed when the handle is in the lower-ed counterclockwiserotated position shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. 8; and being opened when the handle is in the raised clockwise-rotated position shown in solid lines;

Mounted on the handle I04 is an upwardly-directed aperture-d locking-block Ii -5, which is, adapted to be brought into generally horizontal alignment with a locking-rod I at when the handle I94 is in the raised clockwise-rotated valveopen position shown in solid lines in Fig. 8. The locking-rod I66 is slidably supported by a pair of apertured blocks Ill? and I98, suspended from the ceiling in any suitable manner, and is provided with a collar I 09 disposed intermediate the blocks. A helical compression spring III] is mounted on the locking-rod intermediate the block I07 and the collar I09 and exerts force upon the collar tending to move the locking-rod (toward the right in Fig. '7) so that its end enters the apertured locking-block I95 when the handle I04 is in the raised position shown in Fig. 7 and also shown in solid lines in Fig. 8, thereby locking the valve It? in open position. It is apparent that, when the locking-rod I06 is withdrawn (i. e., moved toward the left in Fig. 7), the handle HM is released and is free to fall, of its own weight, to the valve-closed position; a C-shaped stop III, suspended from the ceiling, serving to limit the downward movement of the handle and to relieve the valve mechanism of the shock of fall.

To the other end of the locking-rod I {15 is connected a chain II2 which extends generally horizontally therefrom, across a sheave IIS, suspended from the ceiling, and downward to a rigid rod II4 extending generally horizontally from the weighing-platform P. The length of the chain H2 is such that, when the container C is empty and the beam is in the clockwiserotated position shown in solid lines in Fig. 7, the locking-rod I66 is free to extend within the apertured locking-bloclc Hi5. However, when the container is filled to a point at which it overbalances the weights and causes the beam to swing to the counterclockwise-rotated position shown in dash-dot lines in Fig. '7, downward movement of the weighing-platform P and the rod II4 causes the chain I 52 to pull the lockingrod I86 (to the left in Fig. '7 against the pressure of its spring I58, until its end clears the apertured locking-block and permits the handle I64 to fall to valve-closing position, as described.

The locking-block 5635 is provided with an inclined camming edge H5 which causes momentary retraction of the locking end of the locking-rod Hi6 when the handle is manually raised from the counterclockwise-rotated valve-closed position to the clockwise-rotated position, after which the locking-rod is re-extended by its spring when the locking-block aperture comes into alignment with it, thereby automatically locking the handle in elevated valve-open position.

It is apparent from the foregoing that, with an empty container on the weighing-platform P, it is only necessary to lift the handle I04 so as to open the valve I00 and to permit flow of fluid orthe like into the container. As soon as the container has been filled to the predetermined weight, counter-clockwise rotation of the balance beam will cause the chain to shift the locking-rod, releasing the handle which drops, shutting offthe valvequickly and effectively and with a high degree of accuracy.

The filled can is then removed from the scale and replaced by an empty can of the same. weight (or is itself emptied and replaced), and the handle I84 manually raised and automatically locked in valve-open position to begin a new filling cycle.

It is apparent that, instead of relying on the force of gravity to move the released operating handle to valve-closing position, it is possible to provide a spring or weights or other conventional means for producing this movement.

Appropriate compensation may be made, in the weights, to allow for the force needed to overcome the force of the spring I I0 Where a high degree of accuracy in weighing is desired.

In Fig. 9, there is shown a somewhat modified embodiment in which the sheave is replaced by a bell-crank II6 pivotally supported from the ceiling by a bracket I I I and having a short, generally upwardly-directed arm H8 and a relatively longer generally horizontally-directed arm II 9. A chain II 2-a extends generally horizontally from the end of the shorter arm II8 to I 06, while another chain IIZ-b extends downward from the end of the longer arm H9 to the rod H4.

It can readily be seen that downward movement of the weighing-platform P, the rod H4 and the chain II 2-1), in the manner described above, will cause counterclockwise tilting of the bellcrank and will result in movement of the chain II2-a and the locking-rod I06 toward the left so as to disengage and release the operating handle for valve-closing falling movement thereof.

While the bell-crank thus acts as the mechanical equivalent of the sheave of Fig. 7 in converting vertical movement to horizontal movement, it also serves to increase sensitivity by reducing the pull needed to overcome the pressure of the spring and to shift the operating-handle to valveclosing position; the mechanical advantage afforded by the unequal bell-crank arms reducing the force needed for this, in obvious manner.

The foregoing embodiments are to be considered, in all respects, merely as illustrative and not restrictive and, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the above description, as indicating the scope of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. For use with a quick-acting valve having an axially shiftable valve stem and being constructed and arranged to control the flow of fluid or the like through a pipe line and into a container positioned upon the weighing-platform of a balance-beam type scale; mechanism for automatically cutting off the flow when a predetermined amount has been delivered to the container comprising a pivotally mounted operating handle hingedly connected to the said handle being provided with spring means normally tensioning it to valve closing position and being manually shiftable to valve opening position, a notched rod connected to the end of said valve stem and movable therewith in axial extension thereof, a movable locking-member normally spring-urged into position wherein it engages said extension rod and cooperates with the notch to lock the rod, the handle and the valve stem in valve open position, and means connecting said locking member with the weighand to form an acute angle therewith when connected thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date J ohnstone May 6, 1902 Wright Feb. 12, 1907 Hogaboom Apr. 8, 1913 Bucholz May 4, 1915 Andreas June 13, 1933 Zwosta Dec. 29, 1936 Cook Nov. 28, 1939 Curioni Apr. 5, 1949 Beall Sept. 9, 1952 

